Huntsville gazette., 1887-07-02
FOREIGN BUDGET.

husSia's lnstdiOuS But Certain A0vauceS
Toward the British Indian Frontier
A Good Reason for the Temporizing
Attitude of Turkey In the AnglO-Egyp-
tian Matter-Russla's Hand gain.
LONDON, June 27-Mr. Charles Marvin,
author OF that striking work, "The
Russians at the Gates OF Herat,' and the
best-informed man in England in regard
to Russian affairs, has never ceased since
the publication of his great work two
years ago to direct the attention OF the
thoughtful to tta dangers threatening
Great Britain's empire in the East. de
has been in -Cassandria uttering dole.
full prophecies. which fell upon dull
ears, and even aroused resentment
but which, if present indications are to be
trusted, are now being fulfilled. Mr.
Marvin in an article just published, re-
views his consistent warnings and shows
how every step taken by Russia in push
ing her empire eastward has been in re
alization of his prediction. Russia stands
to-day as England's northern neigh
Dor along poorly protect
ed boundary line OF twelve
hundred miles, which, as the nurse In
''The Pirates" sings, "would ma been,"
if the common-sense policy suggested by
Mr.. Marvin had been adopted Russia
could have easily been checked by any
one of dozen counter movements on En-
glands part few years ago, which are
now difficult il not impracticable. The
vast shipments just announced OF arms
and ammuntions east from the Caspian
over the long stretch OF Russian
railroad through Turkistan to Merv
have, however, proved alarming
enough to at last open the eyes Of that
large class of Britis hers who never be-
lieve any thing until they see it. There
fore, most of Russla's movements in con
nection with her enormous acquire ments
of territory north of India have been con-
Quoted in secret Only those who, like
Marvin. have made a special study OF
Russian methods, have been vigilant
enough to detect these concealed steps
toward aggrandizement, and to fully ap-
preciate their dangerous significance.
The open shipment on large scale CT
munitions of war now indicate that the
CZar's government considers its new con
quests so firmly established that con-
cealment of its movements are no Ion ger
necessary. An openly aggressive policy,
in Mr.. Marvir's opinion has now begun.
W hat this means to the British Empire
is perhaps best appreciated by those
who are familiar with the attitude
of Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India. This
most able of English diplomats has fre-
quently appealed to the home govern
ment to avert the disaster which he has
seen approaching. 1t is to be feared thai
while Lord Salisbury is yet struggling
with the oubtful task of forcing coercion
upon Ireland, the "brightest jewel in the
crowaa or EnE.and will have been place
IN irredeemable danger by his absolute
disregard Of foreign com plications
SHADOW OR SUBSTANCE
LoNDoN. June 2S-The emporizing at
titude Of Turkey in the matter OF signing
the Anglo-Turkish treaty, in the negotia.
tion of which the Sultan's represe nta.
tives displayed so much ardor and enthu-
siasm, is the uppermost topic OF discus
sion in political circles, and among the
general public as well. The belief is now
gaining ground, receiving confirm atory
impetus from constant accessiOns OF in
formation, official and unofficial, but
Cqnally trustw orthv, that France is act
ing in the affair simply as a catspaw for
Russia. Re lily frances interests In
Egyrt are greater than those of Russia,
>
India are more vital than those Of France,
and from Frances association with her
in protes ting against England's i'm
Piled control over the land OF
the Pharoahs, Russia expects tc
secure a formid able ally in the
prosecution of her Asiatic schemes and
Balkan intrlgues. Thus the combined op-
pos ition of those two powers to the
Egyptian treaty may be regarded not 80
much a protest against the status Of
Egypt, which the treaty provides for, as
the initiation Of a policy OF coercion on
the part of Russia against England in
India. That this view of the situation
has forced itself upon the Government is
now quite obvious, from the fact that
Lord Salisbury he'd prolonged confer
ence with Sir Evelyn Barring, British
diplomatic agent in Egypt, yesterday, re-
sultlng in elicitin from the Premier ex'
press,ons of opinion almost identical with
the foregoing. Lord Salls bury doubts
the sincerity of France, but is convinced
of the futility of her adopting any course
other than the one she has taken,
owing to the fact that
Frances isolation from the
continental Powers has made Russia's
friendship necessary to her, and the
knowledge that it can be acquired and
maintained only through concerted ac-
tion in matters suggested and conducted
by Russia. 1t is, therefore, apparent that
Lord Salisbury sees nothing to be gained
by insisting upon the ratifi cation Of the
treaty, and would rather than not, as
matters have shape themselves, see Sir
Henry Drummond VOLTS mission turn
out failure. The Egyptian matter can
wait, but the question OF Russia's su-
premacy on the Afghan frontier will ad-
NIT of no delay in settlement; neither
can England afford to pace herself in
position offering to Russia the slightes
pretext for aggression or retaliation, mol
can she just now allow the Sultan to get
into trouble which England would have
to help HIM out of. England has, in her his
tory, gained a great many substantial
victories by the exercise OF patience, q
virtue of which she possesses an aoun-
dance, and she can more profitabiy leave
the Egyptian question for future decision
while prosecuting the settlement OF more
vital matters, than to commit the olunder
of insisting upon the possession OF the
Egyptian shadow, the Indian substance
meanwhile drifting into the hands OF ner
enemy. In consideration OF this view OF
the situation, it would not be rash to pre-
dict that the Sultan's signature VIII not